(Newser)
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John McCain has attacked Barack Obama for his links to political radical Bill Ayers for the first time, Politico reports. McCain, who had previously left the assault to Sarah Palin, told a raucous Wisconsin rally that booed every mention of Obama's name that the issue went to the heart of whether his rival "is telling the truth to the American people or not."

"We don't care about a washed-up terrorist," McCain said. "The point is Sen. Obama said he was just a guy in the neighborhood. We know that's not true." Obama, who served on the board of non-profit organizations with Ayers but has said they were never close, continued attacking McCain for his "erratic" approach to the financial crisis. McCain "would rather launch personal attacks than talk about the economy," said a statement.